Space Vehicle Systems Analysis : MSFC Tools and Processes

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Abstract

The Advanced Concepts Office at the Marshall Space Flight Center is an organization
that can trace its roots to the days just before the launch of the Saturn launch vehicles and
has distinguished itself for systems engineering and systems analysis necessary to define
the future of the center and Agency. Systems analysis has evolved considerably in recent
history and as computing power and knowledge has increased, the processes by which
concept trade decisions are made have evolved comparably. This paper will describe the
processes and tools used at Marshall Space Flight Center in the Advance Concepts Office
and the Engineering Directorate Vehicle Integrated Performance Analysis (VIPA) team,
the products generated using these tools and processes and future plans for further
development of capabilities for advance transportation systems for the exploration of near
Earth space and deep space; both human and robotic.